Cygnet Park Farms

PERTH business tycoon Kerry Stokes and long-time business partner Peter Murray are selling their Cygnet Park Farms, the largest agricultural holding on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island.

The 7821ha enterprise comprises nine individual properties spread over four key locations – 4848ha Woodlana, 847ha Riggs, 520ha Benneys and 1606ha Naroonda. The business is expected to make around $50 million.

Elders Real Estate general manager Tom Russo said the Cygnet Park assets represented a rare property portfolio.

“Cygnet Park boasts scale, diversity and productivity. It would suit a range of agricultural pursuits including beef, prime lamb, wool and crop production. It is currently running 3000 Angus cows, 2200 weaner calves, 300 yearlings/bulls and 15,700 sheep.”

Mr Russo said a transaction of this scale was unprecedented on Kangaroo Island.

“An asset of this size has never been tested in the market. Competition will be played out between large corporate players actively hunting beef production assets, smaller local operators, as well as mainland investors. We don’t know how the sale will ultimately play out, but already there are very well qualified, significant players who have expressed interest in acquiring the whole portfolio and there are others wanting to acquire parts of the portfolio.”

Co-owner, 81-year-old Peter Murray, is seeking to bring the portfolio to market to focus on other business interests as he transitions into retirement.

He plans to retain a smaller portfolio of properties on the island, saying he remained convinced it was one of the best livestock production regions in Australia, with enormous opportunities to deliver high margin quality produce to the world.

It is believed 77-year-old Mr Stokes, chairman of the Seven Network is looking at re-positioning his empire ahead of the relaxation of media ownership rules.

Mr Russo said Cygnet Park Farms could be run as a whole or separately.

The portfolio will be offered for sale on a walk-in walk-out basis, in one line or in individual allotments, contingent upon the remainder of the portfolio being sold.

• Cygnet Park Farms is being offered by Elders via an expressions of interest campaign closing on November 10.